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Microplastics decrease the toxicity of sulfamethoxazole to marine algae (Skeletonema costatum) at the cellular and molecular levels
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Researchers investigated the combined toxicity of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole and five types of microplastics on the marine alga Skeletonema costatum. They found that certain microplastics actually decreased the toxicity of the antibiotic by adsorbing it, creating a protective "shelter" effect, though polystyrene combined with the antibiotic caused higher oxidative stress. The study suggests that microplastics can alter the bioavailability and toxicity of co-occurring pollutants in marine environments through adsorption interactions.
Microplastics (MPs) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) are ubiquitous in various aquatic environments, but little is known about their joint toxicity mechanism on marine organisms. This study investigated the individual and joint toxicity of SMX and five MPs, including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and bioplastic polylactic acid (PLA), on Skeletonema costatum. The inhibition rates (IR) of the single MPs systems (50 mg/L) followed the order of PP > PE > PLA > PS > PET, while the addition of 0.3 mg/L SMX significantly decreased the toxicity of PP, PE and PLA in the joint system due to the "shelter" effect from MPs adsorption. As for the PS and SMX joint system, the malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were higher than those of the other joint systems. The metabolomic results showed that SMX downregulated glycerophospholipid and amino acid metabolism. PS caused the downregulation of glycerophospholipids, carbohydrates and amino acid via the hetero-aggregation with algae. The co-exposure of SMX and PS alleviated the perturbation of alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism of algae compared with SMX. These findings enhance our understanding of the potential mechanisms of the MPs and organic pollutants joint toxicity in the marine environment.
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Joint toxicity of microplastics with triclosan to marine microalgae Skeletonema costatum
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Researchers investigated the combined toxicity of triclosan and four types of microplastics on the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum. They found that while all microplastics individually inhibited algal growth, PVC and smaller particles had the strongest effects, and the joint toxicity with triclosan followed an antagonistic pattern rather than additive or synergistic. The study suggests that microplastics can adsorb organic pollutants and partially reduce their bioavailability, though the physical damage from smaller particles remains a significant concern.
Impact of extracellular polymeric substances from Skeletonema costatum on the combined toxicity of microplastics and antibiotics in estuarine environment
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Researchers investigated how extracellular polymeric substances from the diatom Skeletonema costatum modified the combined toxicity of polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics with the antibiotic sulfamethazine, finding that the EPS layer provided partial protection against the joint pollutant stress.
Toxicity interaction of polystyrene nanoplastics with sulfamethoxazole on the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: A closer look at effect of light availability
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Researchers studied how light availability influences the combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole on the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The study found that the interaction between these two pollutants was largely antagonistic under low and normal light conditions, as nanoplastics could adsorb the antibiotic and reduce its bioavailability, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in determining combined pollutant toxicity.
Alleviating effects of microplastics together with tetracycline hydrochloride on the physiological stress of Closterium sp.
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Researchers studied how PET and PBT microplastics combined with the antibiotic tetracycline affect freshwater microalgae. They found that in some combinations, microplastics actually reduced the toxicity of the antibiotic to the algae, likely by adsorbing the chemical onto their surfaces. The study highlights the complex and sometimes counterintuitive ways that microplastics interact with other pollutants in aquatic environments.
Response of Chlorella sorokiniana to Co-Exposure to Sulfamethoxazole and Polystyrene Microplastics: Toxicity Effect, Defense and Biodegradation Mechanism
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Scientists found that when a common antibiotic (sulfamethoxazole) and microplastic particles pollute water together, algae actually break down the antibiotic more effectively than when the antibiotic is alone—and the leftover breakdown products are less toxic than the original antibiotic. This matters because it suggests some algae in rivers and lakes could help naturally clean up antibiotic pollution even in microplastic-contaminated water, potentially reducing the spread of drug residues that can affect ecosystems and, indirectly, the water humans rely on.
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